In the wake of the tragic death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year BTech student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, the university has taken disciplinary actions against several staff members.
The incident, which occurred on February 16, has led to widespread protests and raised concerns about student safety and administrative negligence.
KIIT authorities have announced the immediate termination of two security staff members. Additionally, two senior hostel officials and a senior administrative officer from the International Relations Office have been suspended pending a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Lamsal’s death. The university expressed deep regret over the incident and has set up a 24/7 control room at Campus 6 to assist Nepali students. Efforts are underway to encourage students to return to campus, with assurances of their safety and well-being.
Lamsal, hailing from Butwal, Nepal, was found deceased in her hostel room, reportedly after facing persistent harassment from an Indian batchmate. Despite previous complaints, students allege that the university administration failed to act against the accused, leading to heightened tensions on campus. In response to the protests, the university initially ordered all Nepali students to vacate the hostels, a decision that was later retracted. The accused student has since been arrested by local authorities.
The incident has garnered significant attention from both local and international communities. The Embassy of India in Kathmandu expressed deep condolences to Lamsal’s family and confirmed that an investigation is underway. Nepal’s government has also taken steps to support the affected students, with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli assuring necessary measures are in place. The situation remains under close observation as investigations continue.
This tragic event has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of educational institutions in ensuring student safety and addressing harassment complaints promptly and effectively.
